For a heartbeat, Xiao Mo thought Wen Yin’s pale-blue towel looked obscene under the studio lights.
Shao Yinan, who had been standing opposite, awkwardly averted his gaze. Wen Yin, belatedly ashamed, tightened the towel around herself; a faint flush crept up her cheeks.
When she noticed Xiao Mo’s uncomfortable stare, Wen Yin shot him a hard look.
Can’t catch a fish, so you shove someone else and let the fish get away—what a vicious man.
Her eyes glimmered with moisture, her cheeks pink as if she’d just risen from the water. Even while scolding him, there was a coquettishness to her anger that made the whole thing look almost charming.
The live chat went wild.
[Live chat] “Wen Yin’s face is killing me—why am I suddenly swooning over a woman?”
[Live chat] “She didn’t look that special before, what happened in two days? She’s getting prettier.”
[Live chat] “Wife material! Who doesn’t like a beauty?”
[Live chat] “Even if Xiao Teacher was startled, he shouldn’t behave so rudely toward a guest.”
Shao Yinan waited until he was sure Wen Yin had wrapped herself up, then turned to face Xiao Mo.
Both men—about the same height—stood on either side of Wen Yin, each radiating an unmistakable pressure. For a few seconds they stared each other down. Xiao Mo was the first to blink.
There was a coldness in Shao Yinan’s eyes that felt like a blade.
“I didn’t mean to,” Xiao Mo muttered, bristling. Being put on the defensive stung his pride.
“Even if it was an accident, I think you should apologize to Teacher Wen,” Shao said, the hostility in his voice not yet dulled.
[Live chat] “Does Shao Yinan care about Wen Yin? Do they know each other?”
[Live chat] “As a six-year fan, I swear Shao’s attitude toward Wen Yin is different.”
[Live chat] “Focus—this is about Xiao Mo intentionally pushing her and refusing to apologize!”
[Live chat] “She deserved it!”
[Live chat] “Can we not? Please just eat a plum and chill.”
[Live chat] “Ugh, Xiao Mo is such a jerk. Zero respect.”
Pride wouldn’t allow Xiao Mo to admit fault—especially not here, and especially not with this woman.
Wen Yin. His ex.
“Shao,” Xiao Mo said, forcing the last of his discomfort away, “let me be clear—I didn’t do it on purpose. It was an accidental movement.”
“You shouldn’t be so aggressive, Shao,” he added, throwing a derisive look at Wen Yin. “Besides, she didn’t even make a fuss.”
He pictured her begging him all those nights; something in his eyes hardened with possessive certainty.
Shao’s air only grew colder.
Wen Yin reached out and tugged at the hem of Shao’s sleeve.
“I’m fine,” she said, turning to him with an easy smile meant to soothe. Her lips curled up, small and faintly red. The agitation in Shao’s chest eased—but only because he couldn’t help liking that little gesture.
“But I have to say,” Wen Yin added, blinking her large eyes with innocent warmth, “I can see Xiao is going to be the kind of man who stands tall and proud.”
Both men were taken aback.
Wen Yin’s smile widened, bright and cool. She spoke lightly, almost teasing.
“After all, he’s all soft except for his mouth—if the sky ever fell, he’d just hold it up with his mouth.”
The chat detonated.
[Live chat] “Hahaha—Wen Yin’s so savage!”
[Live chat] “She’s got a better moral compass than she’s got looks. Xiao Mo is so gross right now.”
[Live chat] “Just apologize like a normal person. Why twist it so it looks like Wen Yin did something wrong? Classic macho move.”
[Live chat] “He’s just mouthy~”
[Live chat] “I’m neutral but I’m with Wen Yin on this one.”
Xiao Mo’s gaze snapped to Wen Yin, teeth clenched, a furious quiet that looked like it could tear her apart.
She didn’t look away. She lifted her chin to meet him, and there was a sudden sharpness in her eyes that made him feel as if she’d changed into someone else.
Needing a reason to move, she said she’d try a different spot. Losing a fish and then running into Xiao Mo was bad luck enough—she didn’t want to wait for more trouble.
Shao and Xiao fell into an unspoken truce and moved off together.
“No Xiao Mo, no time wasted,” Wen Yin said to herself, grinning as she filled her little tub—seafood after seafood, as if the world owed her for earlier losses.
She was about to climb ashore when her gaze snagged on a scene across the water.
Lu Ziqiu had Wen Zhi tucked against his chest; Jiang Shihuai was nowhere in sight. Wen Zhi clung to Lu’s hand like a startled fawn.
Of course—the queen of flirtation managed to work three men at once. Wen Zhi had talent.
Before Wen Yin could turn away, the other two had spotted her and Jiang, who’d been lagging behind, finally appeared. All three faces shifted at once.
“Wen Yin, what a surprise,” Wen Zhi cried, too eager.
Lu and Jiang hovered by her side, each holding an arm as if nervous about her balance. From where Wen Yin stood it looked absurdly like an empress with her two court favorites.
Wen Yin tossed her head. This wasn’t a greeting—Wen Zhi was flaunting her place in someone else’s heart.
She didn’t even bother removing her snorkel; she didn’t spare them a glance.
Before Wen Zhi could start again, Lu Ziqiu let go and stepped back, withdrawing the hand that had been supporting her.
“What—Ziqiu, why’d you let go?” Wen Zhi flailed, nearly toppling. She pouted and complained in a tiny, petulant voice.
Ziqiu’s eyes were fixed on Wen Yin; he answered mechanically, flustered, “Nothing—my hand just went numb. You okay?”
When Wen Yin looked at him, Ziqiu’s reflex was to release his hold on Wen Zhi. Watching Wen Yin walk away stung more than he expected—she looked as if she’d been upset.
He didn’t like the idea of her upset.
“Ziqiu?” Wen Zhi’s breathy voice—full of hurt—snapped him back to the moment.
For a second his blood froze. How had he let himself think like that? Wen Yin did things to him, twisted him up inside.
Wen Zhi glanced over, pretending not to look, but something dark flashed in her eyes.